WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council (FRC) expressed disappointment in today's decision by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R-N.J.) to withdraw his state's appeal of a New Jersey court order to redefine marriage. His decision came after the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision to deny a stay pending appeal of the lower court's decision.

FRC Senior Fellow for Policy Studies Peter Sprigg made the following remarks:

"Family Research Council is disappointed by Gov. Christie's decision to withdraw the state's appeal of a lower court order redefining marriage. The fact that the Supreme Court refused to stay the lower court's order is no reason not to litigate this important issue to a final conclusion on the merits.

"We are glad that Gov. Christie vetoed the legislature's attempt to redefine marriage, and that he was initially willing to defend the state's marriage law in court. However, conservatives are looking for leaders who will sustain their commitment to unchanging principles. Combined with his signing of a radical bill to outlaw even voluntary sexual orientation change efforts with minors, today's action has given conservatives serious pause about Gov. Christie's reliability," concluded Sprigg.